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He stepped forward until he was close enough to Megan for her to feel his breath on her face as he spoke. Although she was tall he loomed above her. She stood firm but lowered her eyes, not wishing to provoke him further.
    “Have a care, my dear Megan. Liberties taken may one day have to be paid for,” he said. He placed a finger beneath her chin and tipped her face up. Now she looked at him, her defiance visible to no one else but clear to him.
    Megan held her breath, letting the silence between them be her only answer. At that moment the children came running from the barn.
    “Father! Father!” they cried as they ran to him.
    His harsh features softened as he smiled down at them and ruffled their hair. “Ahh, my little princes, what have you been about?”
    “We’ve been searching for eggs, Father, look,” said little Huw, holding out his finds.
    “And there are swallows nesting in the roof. I climbed up to see them,” said Brychan.
    “Did you now? Such courage deserves a reward, wouldn’t you say?” With that he swung the boy onto his saddle and sprang up behind him. Brychan’s face lit up with pleasure and excitement. Huw backed away as his father’s horse began to prance.
    “Don’t look so disapproving, Megan. A son may ride with his father, may he not?” And with that, one arm clutched around the boy, he wheeled his horse around, dug his spurs into its flanks, and galloped away, his men charging after him.
    Megan looked down at Huw, whose scowl and brimming tears gave away his hurt and jealousy. This was not the first time he had been overlooked by his father. Megan was certain the favoritism shown for his older brother would one day cause a serious rift between the boys.
    Twm stepped forward and patted the boy on the shoulder.
    “’Tis a pity your brother could not stay longer,” he said. “For I was just about to tell you of the kittens born in the woodshed last week.”
    Huw’s face was transformed. “Kittens!” he breathed.
    Megan watched them cross the yard together, trying to put from her mind the man who would be waiting for her back at Castle Craig.

 
    2
    M EGAN HURRIED ALONG the narrow passageway that led through the back of the castle and up the winding staircase toward the solar, which was Lady Rhiannon’s bedchamber. The candle she carried spluttered as she walked, caught in thin drafts from the narrow window in the north wall and the glassless loopholes in the stairwell. The castle had been built for strength and security, and there were few spaces within it that afforded comfort. The hour was late, and Megan had the sense she was the only person moving around the castle on this moonless night. She reached the top of the stairs and paused for a moment outside the ornately carved door. She could hear low laughter from inside the room. She knocked and the door was opened by a lady’s maid. Megan hesitated on the threshold, letting her eyes adjust to the further gloom. Candles and lanterns illuminated corners and decorative features, but the overall effect was one of dancing shadows and low light. A fresh layer of herbs had been strewn over the floor. In the center of the room was a magnificent bed, its four posts draped with elaborate tapestries and trimmings. More laughter drifted out from the curtains, which were half drawn around it. The maid stepped forward and informed her mistress of Megan’s presence.
    “Ah, is she here at last? Come closer, Megan. I wish to talk to you.” Lady Rhiannon’s voice had a sharpness about it that was not softened even now.
    Megan did as she was told. As she neared the bed, she was shocked to find her mistress was not alone. Lady Rhiannon reclined against a broad-shouldered young soldier. Both of them were naked, and their skin glistened with sweat. Megan recognized the youth as one of Lord Geraint’s soldiers. He seemed completely at ease with the situation, stroking Lady Rhiannon’s hair as he cradled her head on his chest. In his other